As the Canadiens reach the halfway mark in the regular season, they are indeed “in the mix” for a playoff berth following their recent surge.
That was the operative phrase, repeated frequently by management last September during the team’s annual golf tournament.
But according to Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, being in the mix means his young team, with an average age of 26.5 years, will be playing meaningful games over the final three months. That seems like a virtual certainty for the time being in the fluid world of pro sports, where things can drastically change from week to week.
Whether that translates into the Canadiens reaching the playoffs for the first time since their improbable run to the Stanley Cup final in 2021 remains to be determined and isn’t management’s focal point — something Hughes stressed during Wednesday’s midseason media availability at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard.
“I’d take a different lens to it,” Hughes said. “We wanted to be in the mix in the sense, in terms of progressing as a team. In terms of ultimately getting to where we want to get to. There are certain things we have to experience. We want this young group of players to be under the pressure of learning to win when it counts. Whether ultimately they’ve succeeded or not, it’s the experience you go through.
“That was the most important thing about being in the mix, being more, at least from my vantage point … it had less to do with what we communicated to the outside world about playoffs and more to do with what we hope our team went through as an experience, as a building block.”
Nonetheless, it has become difficult not to overlook and begin speculating over what could transpire this season as the Canadiens continue to build momentum and confidence. With eight victories in their last 10 games, including an 11-5-0 run since their overtime win against the New York Islanders on Dec. 3, the Canadiens have improved their record to 19-18-3 and have 41 points.
Montreal sat sixth in the competitive Atlantic Division on Wednesday but is within striking distance of the two available Eastern Conference wild-card playoff berths, held by Tampa Bay (44 points) and Columbus (42 points). Pittsburgh also has 42 points following 42 games, while Ottawa has 41 points in 39 games.
“Whether we can be a playoff team or not, we’re in that conversation right now,” Hughes said. “Let’s see how our players respond to it.”
Perhaps not. But considering how the season began for Montreal, the team has taken large strides of late.
An 8-2 Bell Centre defeat against Seattle on Oct. 29 was a harbinger of things to come, beginning a string of six consecutive losses as the Canadiens’ record dropped to 4-9-2. Following a 6-3 loss at Boston on Dec. 1, there seemed little reason for optimism, Montreal sitting at 8-13-3. The team was frequently being outshot, wasn’t generating sufficient offence and was guilty of repeated defensive lapses.
“Obviously we weren’t happy with our start to the season,” Hughes said. “Some players weren’t playing up to their potential and the team’s confidence was affected. We were so fragile.”
While Hughes was reluctant to throw any players under the bus, he made it clear the pressure of being a first overall draft choice in 2022 will continue to weigh heavily on winger Juraj Slafkovsky, who has produced only four goals through 37 games.
“I think he’s capable of doing more and I think he knows that,” Hughes said. “Are we surprised? No. I told him in the summer when we signed him that we expect him to have highs and lows; his progression won’t be linear. And he’s not alone. The ones who are able to (play) consistently every year are very special. I have lots of confidence in Juraj (but) he has work to do.”
While crediting head coach Martin St. Louis for the team’s recent transformation, Hughes also said the acquisition of Alexandre Carrier from Nashville on Dec. 18 for Justin Barron not only solidified their defensive zone play, it has brought more confidence to Kaiden Guhle, his blue-line partner, who has become more physical of late.
The Canadiens remain in a position of power through future draft picks and with numerous prospects in the pipeline playing well in Laval, their AHL affiliate. But that doesn’t mean the organization will deviate from its long-term master plan, Hughes stressed.
“We want to build a team that’s going to compete for years to come,” he said. “We haven’t accomplished anything yet.”
The Canadiens held an optional practice on Wednesday but didn’t make players available to the media. Forward Patrik Laine, who has missed three games with flu-like symptoms, skated but is still recovering according to a team official. More information will be provided on Thursday, should his condition improve. Montreal travels to Washington Friday night before entertaining Dallas on Saturday.